Rare Antique Silk Chinese Wedding Set

This is somewhat outside of my usual realm so though I know these are at least turn of the century I cannot give an exact date - they could be far older! No matter what the exact date, I do know that both of these pieces are utterly suburb example of antique Chinese textiles and you would be hard pressed to find pieces in this league and quality anymore! The jacket is hand down the best embroidered piece I have had in the shop to date. Red silk is almost completely covered with stunning hand embroidered flowers and leaves with pa medallion on both the front and back of a wedded couple. Every design is edged in a gold metallic thread and huge portions of the design are completely done with that same metallic thread work. Superb woven silk ribbon adorns each cuff and all the edges. The skirt picks up this embroidery work and has added edges of fine silk ribbons worked into the vertical panels. It is all hand finished and I adore the vivid pink tissue silk lining! Stunning and in Museum quality.

Top
Width: 48" from sleeve to sleeve
Bust: approx 21" flat across the back from seam to seam
Waist: to 23" flat across the back from seam to seam
Length: 27" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: fully adjustable
Hips: fully adjustable
Length: 38" from waist to hem

Both pieces are fully lined in pink tissue silk. The pink lining of the jacket is a far brighter pink then the lining of the skirt. The skirt is actually two panels that "button" together and closes with a silk ribbon that loops through a fabric loop on the other side of the skirt waist. Two frog knot and loops are set on the exterior. One looks to have been replaced but it looks old so it is hard to verify if it was or was done deliberately. There are some tiny areas of discoloration here and there inside and outside the skirt and it has a feeling of age but I do not consider these to be a flaw - its a natural evolution of the material used and the age of the piece. Though they seem to match I get the feeling that either the skirt may be older or it was stored differently then the jacket - it just feels older to me. The jacket closes with side frog knots. The inside is clean and the silk strong. There are no real outstanding flaws to note. Please remember that pieces of this age will have a natural patina and should not be expected to be absolutely perfect (though this is close)! It is after all 100+ years old!

Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.

Modern Sizing equivalent: SML (6-8)

Item# S342

Both pieces were professionally cleaned, pressed and are odor free - it came through beautifully. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear or display upon arrival

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  • The final payment is due two weeks after the second payment and shipping will be billed on this invoice as well.
  • items less then $500, or that are on sale, require a 50% deposit with the final payment due in two weeks from the date of deposit 

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SIZE GUIDE

Please review all measurements carefully. More often than not, vintage garments do not fit any size category exactly. If in doubt, measure a garment of your own that fits and is a similar cut and compare it's measurements to the listed measurements below.